1892 Map of Chaco

About this map

The San Juan River and its major tributaries, the Animas River and La Plata River, anchor this late nineteenth-century reconnaissance of northwestern New Mexico. Early river valley settlements like Farmington, Aztec, and Jewett are established here, while the southern landscape transitions into the expansive drainage of the Chaco River. The map clearly delineates the Navajo Indian Res. Line, showing the relationship between early pioneer outposts and tribal lands during a period of significant regional transition. Local landmarks for travelers and stockmen include Sulphur Spring and Sheep Spring, while the western edge is defined by the high elevations of Beautiful Mountain and the Cho-Ois-Kai Mts. This survey, based on work by Hayden and W.W. Davis, provides a detailed look at the water sources and early trails essential for survival in this arid territory.